Retrieving mechanism.



J. HOLLIS. RETRIBVING MECHANISM.

' APPLICATION rum) MAY 24, 1911. 1 5056,7 12. I 5 snnn'rssnnn'r 1.

Patented Mar. 18, 1913.

J. HOLLIS. RETRIBVING MECHANISM.

APPLIOATION FILED MAY 24, 1911.

Patented Mar. 18, 1913 5 BHEBTB-SHEBT 2.

J. HOLLIS.

Rmnmvme mnommsm.

APPLIGATIOK IILBD'MAY 24, 1911.

J. HOLLIS.

BETBIEVING MECHANISM.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 24, 1911.

1,056,742. I Patented Mar. 18,1913.

5 BHEBTSSHEBT 4.

I 7 IV I mll' Lilli 1mm "numb J. HOLLIS.

RETRIEVING MECHANISM.

APPLICATION TILED MAY 24, 1911.

Patented Mar. 18, 1913.

, 5 SHEETS-$1123! 5.

JOSEPH HOLLIS, ,QF CANTON.

I ma'rnmvme vrnonienismj- To all-wkomit may concern i Be it'kn'own that I, JOSEPH Hotms, citi zen of the United States, residing at Canton.

in the count-y'o-f Stark and State of Ohio,

have invented. certain new and useful Improveme'ntsin" and Relatingto Retrieving Mechanism, specification.

of which the following is a This invention-relates to a rope controlling and trolley "effects the ret-rieving of a trolley pole when I th trolley conductingwire', and operates to maintain t-he ropeconnected to the trolley pole sub- .-'i .-.1main's in engagement with, the v or conductofandmoves up and down rel- ,a-tiVe to, the roof of thecar. v For the purpose of 1l1'ustrat1on,' I

. herein described one stantially ftfaut while the trolley wheel rehave, in the. accompanying" drawings, shown and form of retriev ng 5 f inechanism embodyin myinvention.

Vention. Fig. .2 isa transverse sectional View on horizontal sectional viewpartly side of'the casing and they mech'a-nisin car-' mentary Figure 1 is a vertica longitudinal'sectional I trolleyretr ever and rope controlling gmeehanism embody ng my inthe line 22 of F ig.- 1. Fig. 3 is a in plan, one

ried thereby being omitted; Fig. 4 is a fragsect-ional view onthe line 4-4 of 'Fig, 1. 'Fig, 5 is a fragmentary side view,

partly in'section, on the line 55 o-fFig. 1. Fig. 6 is an enlarged perspective View of vone partof the casing and the parts carried thereby,

' mechanism, the drum the spring locking and releasing connecting the sprinv-controlled parts to the bers-l',-l ."adapted t ojhouse the retrieving integrallynpon opposite-sides of each of the main casing parts,

'druin .or' reel, the from the spring Controlled parts. Figs. 'Zto 11 are fragmentary views, partly in section, a showing, locking "sition s latter being separated parts of the retrieving and spring and releasing mechanism-in the pothey assume: I Figs. 12 to15 are detail views.

In the drawings, erably comprising two main parts or memmechanism'il 19, l-,. indicate are shaped flanges formed the'fla-ngesof one part be OI-{10, 1 ASSiGNOR TO JOHN E p "Specification of Let-tersPatent. Applicationfiled May 24, 1911'.

from the flanges 1,

flug ofthe adjacentretriever. mechanism, which 'member 1 wheelthereof jumps or leaves the 2. These projections trolley Wire or reel, andthe parts for within the casing while. being operated.

1 'ndicates a casing pref- By this construction the Patented Mai-41s, 1913. Seria1No.629,196.

the other part. v

, '1, 1 indieatefapertured lugs projecting the lug of one flange of one part being arranged to alinc with the flange of the other part, whereby the said parts may be secured together by suitable'bolts. 1 2 indicates-a'casing, secured'by bolts 2 to the back or rear Wall I of thecasing part or "ing adapted to enga'ge with the flanges of plurality of projections, integrally with the casing formpart of a bayonet suitable member (not thedash or other part of l 3, 3, indicatea preferably formed connection with a shown) carriedby a car. r a

3 indicates a pivoted member, adapted to engage with the member carried by the car, for holding the retriever casing 1 in position upon said member.

4 indicates a drive shaftpreferably arranged concentrically, of the casing '1. V

5 indicates 'a disk'or circular plate provided witha'sleeve.5 through which the shaft 4, which ispreferably reduced near one end, extends.

The reduced end of the shaft 4-and' 'the sleeve 5 project throu'gh an opening 1 in the back 1* 0f the cas'ingpart- 1? into the spring casingQ'.

'1 indicates a bearing provided on the rear wall 1 for rotat-ably suppor'ting'the sleeve 5 and shaft 4.

part l for the outer end of the shaft 4."

.M LAiZN', or CANTON, 01:10..

a '85 {1 indicates'a bearing formed in the casing .6 indicates a retrieving spring "adapted to I I This sprlng is mounted- 2 and has one end con rotate the disk nected thereto.

99 .6 indicates an arbor to which the other end of the spring-.6 is coi1-.

nected by suitable ratchet means.

6* indicates a pin or key extending through the shaft 4, sleeve 5 and arborfi and rigidly connecting these parts together.

.The arbor surrounds that portion of the sleeve which extends into the casing and has bearing at its opposite circumferential edges with the opposing faces of the rear wall l for the casing part 1 and the casing 2. arbor prevents endwise movement of the s'haftet.

-7 indicates a drum or reel on which a trolley rope 8 is wound, the rope being con-j 3 nected at its upper end to a trolley pole.

conductor; at the same time operating to rewind the main spring and put it under tension ready for the next retrieving operation.

The dru1n7 preferably comprises a web 7, a hub ,7". having an extended sleeve 7 loosely mounted on the shaft 4, and a flanged rim 7.

7 X indicates an'opening formed in the rim 7 of the drum. I

7 indicates a slot form in the rim 7 leading from one side of they opening '1 in a circumferential direction. That end of the rope which is wound on the drum is prefererably knotted, as shown at S and inserted through the opening 7 The rope 8 is then moved into the slot 7 the knot engaging the inner surface of the drum rim on opposite sides of the said slot and thereby connecting the rope 8 to the drum 7. Those surfaces of thevrim 7 upon opposite sides of the slot 7" with which the knot 85 engages,

are preferably inclined from the inner or closed end 10f the slotto its open end, as shown at T The purpose of this is to facilitate the removal and detachment of the rope from the drum. This is usually accomplished by unwinding the'rope, and

when its end is reached, the knot will automa-tically slide down the inclined surfaces 7 and free itself from the drum. 9 indicates a reel spring mounted in a circular recess ordepressionl, which is'preferably formed in the back or rear wall of the casing member- 1 One end of this spring is adjustably anchored to the casing or wall of the recess 1 and its opposite end is d'etachablyconnected tothe sleeve 7 c of the drum or reel 7, as will be later described.

The spring 9 tends to rotate the drum 7 in an anti clockwise direction (see dotted arrows in Figs. 8, 9, 10 and 11). Its function is to exert suflicient force on thedrum to keep the rope 8 substantially taut and take up all'slack, which may exist-therein, between the drum '7 and the trolley pole during the normal operation of the device.

'- \Vhen the rope 8 is wound on the drum 7,

- jthe'force of the spring is expended, and when 1t1s unwound therefrom the'spring is again placed under drum.

1- indicates a series of inwardly pro ect1ng tension to operate the .stops, having relatively wide faces 1 provided on the inner circumferentialwall of the depression or recess 1 Q indicates a strip of resilient metal extending partly around the depression 1. and

frictionally' engaging with the faces '1 of the stops P. The outer end of the spring 9 is w free movement of the drum 1' connected to the strip 9 at a point removed from its front end, so as to leave a forwardlv extended free end 9. This free end 9 expands slightly outward and engages with the side wall of the adjacent stop 1, thus forming-an anchor for the outer end of the said spring 9. In the event however the spring 9 is overwound, as may be the case when resetting the retrieving spring (3, such overwinding will result in drawing the forward extended end 9 of the strip 9 inwardly face 1 of the ad acent slightly beyond the lug 1 and pulling or sliding the strip 9 around the recess 1 until its forward extended end abuts'against the next or succeeding stop 1 If the operation'jof winding up the sprin 9 is continued, beyond a predetermined point, it will result in sliding the strip 9 from-one tooth to another, thereby preventing overwii'iding and breaking of the spring- It will thus be seen that the strip 9 operatesas a movable or adjustable connecting means between the outer end of the spring 9 and the casing member 1", which means permit the spring '9; in its wound-upcondition to be adjustedto a position ready to rotate the reel immediately following the re-setting of the retriever spring; furthermore, as just stated such adjustable connection obviates breakage of'the spring by overwinding. I

In the form of construction herein described it will be understood that the function of the absorbing spring 9 is to take up I the slack occurring in the trolley rope and to pay out the rope as the trolley wheel runs along the over-head conductor. This spring is therefore relatively weak; whereas the retrieverspring 6 is of a length and strength to eifect a retrieving of the trolley pole against the tension of the trolley pole springs. The spring 6 is therefore of such size that it will rotate the drum 7 for a con siderable time in order that the full length or a considerable portion of the trolley rope is wound thereon, and, in expending its force, rotatesthe drum much faster and to a greater extent than the spring 9 could possibly rotate it. In order to permit this independently of the spring 9, the circumferential wall of the hub sleeve? is cam shaped around that portion which is surrounded by the inner convolution of the spring 9 and formed with a shoulder 7 9 indicates a plate or device carried by the'inner end of the spring 9 and adapted to engage-the shoulder 7 The tension of the spring 9 operates to keep the plate 9 and shoulder 7 in operative relation nordrops behind the shoulder 7 ready to engage therewith when the drum is rotatedin the opposite direction. It will thus be seen that the spring 9 may automatically connect and disconnect itself with the drum sleeve 7 at its inner end.

The spring 6' like the spring 9, is re-set on wound up by the act of unwinding the rope 8 from the drum 7 lVhen this operation takes place it .will be understood that the spring 9 becomes completely wound in advance of the spring 6. But by providing the adjustable anchor or, connection. 9 for the outer end of the spring 9, the unwinding of the rope Scan be continued until the spring'6-is wound up to its limit, as

has alreadv been described, without anyv danger of overwinding the spring 9. g Itseen that the connections for ends of the slack absorbing will thus be the opposite I spring9, While allowing the/said spring to mounted in aguideblock 10 i cut away, as shown at -,10 v

, gages'with and 10, 10,- extending exert its force upon the drum as .long' as the trolley wheel remains on the conductor; permit the drum to rotate indefinitely in one direction for theretrieving operation and indefinitely in the opposite direction for resetting the retriever spring. v i Means are provided for automatically setting or looking the spring 6 in wound up condition and for connecting the drum 7 to effect the retrieving of the trol .ley. Of these means; '7 ind'icates a ring concentrically mounted on-the innerside or face of the drum or reel 7 and preferably formed integrally therewith, t v

7 indicates a series of--; ratchet teeth formed on the .inner face of 'thering'. 7

indicate a plurality of radially pins'or rods" spaced fromeach other. upon the disk 5, and each slidingly 10 indicates a device-at the outer or free endlof each pin lO adapted to-engage'atooth 7 and lock the disk and drum 7 together when the pin is in d'outwardly. The blocks 10 and disk e preferably permit the pinsor rods 'to be retracted or moved inwardly far enough to bring the engaging devices 10. out of the path of the ratchet teeth 7 and within the contour of the disk 5.

11 indicates a swingable lever having a hub which is-loosely mounted onthe shaft 4.

11 llfiiindicat e a plurality of arms fixed or formed integral with the lever 11 and each'carrying at its free end a cam 11. ar-

ranged'to engage with and moveor slide pin or rod lo outwardly.

the adjacent spring suitably mounted 11 indicates a on the disk 5 I moves the lever '11 in one direction. =When the lever 11 is released from. the locking. niechani'sm," as will be later described, the spring 11 swings the tively weak .11 and one end Wall lever 11 under the the edge of 'c'enter'thereof. The inner end of the rib 12 terminates at a point slightly remote from v e circumferentiahwall of disk to the carried thereby.-

is adapted to engage -with to the shape of the and having'an arm which en-' inwardly lever .about the shaft 4 and thus causes the cams ll -ito operate the pins or rods 10 10 indicates a spring connected at its opposite ends-to the .pin'sor rods 10 and operating normally to maintain them in their retracted position in the path of the cams 11"., The spring 10 .is "comparaspring 11.;The inner ends of thepins 10 are preferably inclined to form suitable engaging walls-for the cams 11".

in order that the cams 11 will operate instantly under the influence of the The lever 11 preferably extends radially to the edge of the disk 5 at it s free-end with an arm 11 which extends-in a lateral direction beyond the op As shown, the

g the sleeve 5 so as to form a continuous groove 12 around .thesaid sleeve. The opposite end of the rib12 is constructed to form a relatively wide opening 12 and terminates in an outwardlyvinclined wall or cam 12 13, 13*; indicate pair of spaced ribs mounted on the'inner face of. the rear waitof the casing member -1, and forming between them a radially extending groove 13; Mindicates a lock member or bolt vadapted toslide in said groove 13%.

14 indicates a head carried by the bolt 14 at or near its inner end. The-head 14". the arm- 11, (see Figs. 8, 9 and 13) which in turn engages the stop 5"an'd-thus locks the disk 5 against rotation by the'spring 6.

14" indicates a tongue provided on the head 141: and adaptedto extend into the spiral groove 12% The tongue 14 is preferably slightly curved in. order to conform v groove.

Asthe bolt 14 is free to' slide inwar dly and outwardly, radially relative to theaxis of the disk,v the walls of the groove 12; acting on the tongue 14 will cause such move- .ment' of the bolt-accordingly. as the disk 5 1s rotated. For instance, whenv the disk 5 j 125 i when thedisk is rotated inflthe opposite direction (which rotation takes is rotatedby the spring 6, the bolt 14 slides place when therope' 8 is unwound fromthe and, is provid df of the cut-away indicates a-spri-ng having an arm lock member 1 0"in wardly and then thejbolt "14 outwardly. WVhen the disk is rotated in a c-lock-wise direction,

f linearrows which indicate direction of ro- '15the drum 7), the tongue Wlll automatic-a v the drum 45 slack in therope 8.

- receive the lug 16".

and 11, thatis to say,

drum 7 in resetting-the spring 6), the bolt 14 is moved outwardly.

i 14 indicates a cut-away portion formed in the bolt 14 having end walls 14*, 14".

15 mounted in the cutaway portion 14 and arranged to engage the end wall 14 of the or bolt. "The spring arm 15 is put under tension when the bolt is moved exerts its force to move (see full tation'when rope 8 is being unwound from lly enter. the groove 12?.

- 16 indicatesa trip or bolt throwing device for sliding the bolt 14 inwardly to release the arm 11". This device; preferably an arm 16 adapted to engage a 14 provided'on the The free end of the lever preferably extends throughv a j .17,;-17 ,-1ndicat e a plurality of dogs, each pivotally mounted on afpin onstud 7* carried by the drum 1. These dogs revolve with the drum and their free'end's swing outwardly under the influence of centrifugal this operation one of'the dogs engages wlth the lug 16 of the lever, throws the latter and thus moves or slides the bolt.

14 inwardly.

17, 17, indicate a plurality of springs, one for each dog, for holding the'dogs nor- 40 mally retracted. The springs 17 areof suf- "ficient. strength to maintain the dogs re tracted' or against the outer circumferential I wall of the ring 7 during the rotation of in paying out and taking'up However, when the trolley wheel jumps the conductor or wire, the 'up-pullonthe rope 8. imparts a high rotative speed to'the drum 7. The centrifugal force set up. by the rotation. of the drum throws the free ends of the-dogs ontwardly in position to strike the lug 16 and operate the bolt thrower. Thelug 16 of the lever 16 is preferably mounted thereon so as to be engaged by the free end of one of 5 3 the dogs 17 only when the latter is in its outermost position.

Each of the dogsl? is preferably'formed with a notch "16 indicates a spring which exerts its B'Oforce to maintain the tripping. dev ce in outer position, as shown in Figs. 8, 9, 10 against that end wall ofthe slotl remote from the bolt 14. Y

, 18 indicates a fiat spring overlying the and yieldingly holdsit in engagement radial groove 13 and adapted .to engage the sliding bolt 14.

When the bolt is moved outwardly into locking position, its free end is forced beneath the spring 18. This spring operates to hold the bolt 14 in locking position and prevents it from being jarred outof such position, or moved inwardly while the disk 5 is being rotated by the spring-6 into locked position.

19 indicates .a plate which is secured to the back of the casing member 1 by suitable screws 19*. This plate'is preferably arranged to fit over and close the depression 1 formed in the back of the saidamember It isformed with an opening 19 through which the-shaft 4 extends.

19 indicates a pin or projection which registers with and fits into an opening or recess 1 1n the casing member 1*, whereby the .saidplate 19 may be properly positioned thereon.

. 19 indicates a-sleeve or collar, preferably formed integrally with the plate 19, and eX-' tending therefrom toward the web 7 of the d um T. 1

19 indicates a series ofratchet teeth )r'otitled on the outer. circumferential wad of the collar 19. i 1

'20 indicates a plate swingably mounted at one end upon a suitable pivot or stud shaft projecting from the Web '7 of the drum 7. -The plate 20 is preferably provided with a hub'QO' which forms a bearing member for the plate, the hub being held in place on the'said shaft by a washer 20 and screw o-rI other locking device 20 The free end of the plate overlies the opening 7* and slot?" formed in the drum rim T and is preferably curved at its free end to-conform 'tothe contour of the rim.

20 indicates a spring, which may surround "the shaft for the plate '20. One end or arm of the spring .engagesthe said plate with the inner. surface of the rim immediately behind the opening? therein.

"21 indicates a pawl operated into and out of engagementwith the ratchet teeth 1,9 by the movement of the plate20. 'The pawl .21 extends from and is preferably formedintegrally with the hub 20 and is arranged to' engage the teeth 19 when. the plate 20 is 111 normal position against the drum rim 7, as shown in dotted lines in Fig. 5 The purpose of the pawl. 21 is to 1 prevent the unwinding of the springs 6 and 9 by locking the drum against rotation when the the ratchet-teeth 19; then when the rope 8 is disconnected from the drum.

fed

is connected to the drum, -the act of insert ing the knot-8 throughthe opening 7" op-' erates to swing the late and simultaneously disconnect the paw 21 from the adjacent 6=and-9. Shoulditcome necessary to disconnect the rope 8 from the drum" 7 for any,

5 reason,"- the *removalof the knot=8 through .10. a plate-19 to-normal position, thus automatieally effecting a locking of the drun1. By this construction-it will- -b e seen that after [the parts are once assembled, the connection and disconnection of theitrolleyrope from; the winding drum cantake place --.as' often as desired without the necessity of-unwind ing and rewindin the opening '71 permits [the return of the either or both of the The operation of the retrieving mechanism may be-described as follows: Figs. 1, 8, and

trolley wheel remains in engagement with Figs. .8 and'9 being. taken .ment with the arm 11 and the spring 6 set, orwound up, ready to rotate the "disk 5 and drum upon the throw of the .bolt lei. A some now that. the .trolley wheel jumps or leaves the conductor. The trolley pole tensioii. springs immediatelyiforce the trolleypole upwardly, which upward movement im- ;parts: an up-pu'll on the trolley rope 8 and thus' efl'ects a rapidkrotat-ion ofl the drum'Z.- The'oontrifugal force set up by the, rotation 40 dogs 17 outwardly, one or whichs'tr ikesth'e [lug 16 o f 'the trip or, bolt'throWi-ngdevice. 16 and swings the latter into engagement. with the. shoulder'l fi of the bolt 114 (see:

thelever 16 against the bolt 14 slides the I latter inwardly. Thisoperation nioves the head 14 from behind thejarm' ll", and efi'ectsl the release of'the disk, which is .now freeto 5.0

movement of the .bolt '14 also; moves the- I tongue 14 into the mouth of the groove .12".

- Simultaneously with or immediately. follow- 1: ing thedisengagement of the bolt head 14.

bf'the drum 7 moves thev freeend's of the dotted line in Figs. 8 and 9). Theblow of The inward be'driven by the spring 6.

'fromthe arm l1 ,.the'spring 11 swin'gs the .leverfll about the shaft-'4. and moves the cams 11 into engagement with. the pins 10,.

' whichfin turn operate the teeth engaging -devices-10".l' The disk 5 is now Connected to the drum-7 and imparts its rota'tive move inent thereto to retrieve \the trolleypole,

until .the force of the spring 6 is entirely expended, or until its power "and the power. of thet zolley pole-tension. springs react upon each ptherwith equal-force: lhe rotation of the disk 5 'under the influence of the spring. 6;slid es the-bolt 14 inwardly into the -circular-.-groove 12", where it remains during the continuedrotatio'n of the disk.

R fer-ring now to FigsQlO and 11,, which 'are taken on the same lines as Figs. 8 and 9,. V respectively, and looking in the same dlrection. 'These-vielws illustrate the position of a the parts when 'the. trolley pole has been--- retrieved and I before the main or retrieving spring has been :wound up or reset; The re: I I sett-ingof the main spring, and alsothe slaekabsorbing'spring is effected by rotating the disk in a clockwise direction. -The disk 5 and I drum 7 remain connected together through the teeth engaging devices 10 at the end of the-retrievlng operation, because the force of the spring'll is still being eX erted to press thenili'nto engagement with the teeth 7 Hence in; unwinding the rope 8 off the drum, the disk 5 is-rotated' in the opposite direction and rewinds the retriever spring. This operation also operates, I through the tongue and groove connection, "to slide the bolt 14 outwardly. Atthejenol of thegroove 12?, the tongue is engaged by. the cam 12f,,Wl-1ich on account ofjits s tioned immediately behind the arm 11*. A

. 'p zourved face '-moves the bolt 14' outwardly shoulder 12?", provided on the disk- 5, thenengages the head 14" and preventstheflcon- 1 'tinued rotationof tlie disk 5'. The pnllon Ithe-rope 8 is then relaxed, permitting. the

.disk' to rotate in an anticlockwise direction under the influence of the springs-6 and 9.-

By this latter operation, theleve'r 11 ongag s ith e bolt l1ead.14,and the continued' rotation of the disk5, actu ate d by v the spring 6, brings the'shoulder or sto 15 into-engagement-wit-h thearm 11 the: o'lt head, operating through the'arm li to lock the disk against rotation, thus setting the. spring '6. When-the stop 5 bears against the'arm 11, which" in turn engages the bolt head 14, 1t carries-thepressureof the retriever spring and relieves .the': engagingv devices 10 thereof. I The latter are-then drawn inivarcllyby the spring 10. Upon the relaxation of the rope-8 and the movement ofthe lever 11 which takes ,place cluring' the. slight rearward movement of'the disk 5 until the arm-11 engages with the s'top 5, the cams 11 are-'moyed out-of en 'gag'einent with the pins 10 which.l.at ter ,are

free to;move. inwardly, and as soon as the .disk 5 becomes looked and. the drum 7 ro- 1 'tated underthe influence of-thespri'ng 9, the

tension or pressure against the teeth. engag mg devices isreleased or removed -whereupon the" latter are moved "im\-arclly=orfretracted under the influence'of the spring 10%. I

'1 those skilledin v theart of-making re any possible overwindin trieving. mechanism of the class described, many alterations, in construction and widely differing embodiments and applications of my invention will suggest themselves, with out depart-ing from the spirit and scope thereof. My disclosures and the description herein are purely illustrative, andare not intended to be in any sense limiting.

I have had in mind particularly the improving of the patented trolley retriever of A. W. Knutson, described and claimed intam of the parts of the Knutson retriever- \means for automatically locking either the spring against unwinding when the trolley. rope is removed from the drum, at the same time facilitating the introduction of and withdrawal of the. trolley rope from the drum or reel. I have also provided for a greater freedom of operation of the trolley rope, allowing ample space in and throughthe casing for'this purpose.

It will be noted that the desired degree of tension of the slack absorbing spring may be obtained by rotating the drum or reel until such point is reached, it being un-' derstood that you cannot overwind either spring because after a certain point has been reached in its winding, the spring plate or strip at the outerend of the slack absorbing spring will slip over the lugs or stops in the casing making a sound which may be readily heard or detected. It will also be noted that connections between both springs, namely, the retriever spring on the one hand and the slack absorbing spring on theother hand, and the reel are such that'the rotation of the reel in rope unwinding direction is utilized for winding both springs to the desired degree of tension, and that I have provided means for locking the retriever spring against action and separate means for preventing the drum from rotating un-' der the influence of the slack absorbingv spring under certain conditions.

What I claim is V 1. In a trolley retriever, the combination of a casing, a retrieving spring mounted therein, a slack absorbing spring in the casing, a rotatable trolley rope reel, means for winding and locking the retrieving spring against action, the Winding operation being effected by the unwinding of the trolley raw-m i rope from said trolley rope reel,- and means interposed between said trolley rope reel and the slack absorbing'spring for windin and locking the latter against act-ion.

2. In a trolley retriever, thecombmatlon of a casing, a retrieving spring mounted therein, a slack absorbing spring .in the casing, a lrotatable trolley rope reel, means for winding and locking the retrieving spring against action, the winding operation I being effected by the unwinding of the trolley rope from said trolley rope reel, connections betweensaid trolley rope reel and the slack absorbing sprin'g "operating to.

wind the slack absorbing spring when the trolley rope reel is rotated in one direction,

and means for locking the trolley rope. reelat will against rotation by said slack absorbing spring in spring-unwinding direction.

3. The combination of .a casing, a retriever spring, a drive shaft connected to said retriever spring, a trolley rope reel,

connections between said rope reel and said drive shaft, a slack absorbing sprlng, and

automatically acting attaching and detaching means interposed both between one end of said slack absorbing spring and said reel,

and between the other end of said spring and'the casing, and arranged to preventthe breaking of said spring by any amount of rotation of said reel in either direction.

with a casing, of a drive shaft rotatably mounted in the casing, a retrieving spring: connected to the shaft, a rope reel mount'e on the shaft, a slack absorblng spring having adjustable connections at one end with the casing and detachable connections with the reel at the other end,-mechanism located between the reel and the retrieving spring for locking the retrieving spring against action, and separate and independent means 4. In a trolley retriever, the combination too located between said reel and the slack absorbing spring for locking the reel against I 'rotation by said slack absorbing spring.

5.'In a trolley retriever, the combination with a casing, of .a drive shaft rotatably mounted in the casing, a retrieving sprin connected to the shaft, a rope reel mounte on the shaft, and a relatively short slack.

absorbing spring having adjustable .con-

iio

nections at one endiwith the casing and detachable connections with the reel at its other end, the saidconnections at the opposite ends of said slack absorbing spring p'ermitting the reel to rotate in either arope winding or unwinding direction indefinitely.

6. The combination with a shaft, of a rope Winding reel loosely mounted thereon, a retriever spring, means-for locking said retriever spring after it has been wound, c'onnectlons operating to rotate the reel; upon release of said locking means, a slack absorbing spring, connections between said shaft and arranged between the slack ab- In testimony whereof I afiix my signature, in the presence of two Witnesses.

JOSEPH HOLLIS.

sorbing spring and the reel, and means interposed between said collar and reel for Witnesses: locking the reel against rotation by said .A. M. MCCARTY, slack absorbing spring. H. G. PoU'rINs.

copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents,

\ Washington, D. G. 

